Controlled pressure equalization
AssigneeOneSubsea IP UK Limited
InventorStig Kaare Kanstad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for controlled equalization of fluid pressure are described. The system can include a flow restricting nozzle in line with an accumulator which together provide a gradual, controlled equalization of pressure between two locations. For example, in the subsea environment, the pressures can vary between a subsea processing station and a subsea flow line. The systems can be configured as ROV retrievable, or they can be integrated into the subsea processing station. In some cases, more than one accumulator and/or more than one flow restricting nozzles can be used in the system to provide for versatility and robustness.
Claims31
A system for controllably decreasing a pressure difference between a higher pressure volume and a lower pressure volume, the system comprising:
- a fluid inlet configured for fluid attachment to the higher pressure volume;
- a fluid outlet configured for fluid attachment to the lower pressure volume;
- a fluid flow line running from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet;
- a pressure storage reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid flow line and configured to store and release fluid from the fluid flow line;
- and
- a flow restricting nozzle positioned between said fluid inlet and fluid outlet.
A method of controllably decreasing a pressure difference between a higher pressure volume and a lower pressure volume, the method comprising:
- opening a first valve thereby allowing fluid communication along a fluid flow line between said higher pressure volume and an accumulator such that pressure in said accumulator matches pressure in said higher pressure volume;
- and
- after said pressure matching, opening a second valve thereby allowing fluid communication along said fluid flow line between said lower pressure volume, a flow restricting nozzle and said accumulator, the combination of said accumulator and said nozzle providing a smooth transition between the pressures of said higher and lower pressure volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.